Nigerian military says troops ‘stabilising’ Mubi, Bama, others

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The Defence Headquarters on Thursday said the towns and villages in the North East reportedly taken over by the Boko Haram insurgents are being stabilised through air and land attacks.

It also said media reports that dreaded sect was closing in on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital was intended to cause panic in the city.

In a ​T​w​itter post​​, the DHQ listed some of the towns and villages, which Nigerian troops have made impressive outing as Mubi, Michika, Bazza, Gulak, Gwoza, Bama, Gamboru and Ngala.

The​ towns had been taken over​ by​ the sect causing the residents to flee. Ngala is the home place of a former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff​,​ who is alleged to be one of the sponsors of Boko Haram.

The tweet reads, “Alarmist Report on Foreign and Online Media on Maiduguri is clearly intended to cause Panic in the city and the nation.

“All facets of security arrangements for the defence of Maiduguri has been upgraded to handle any planned attack or attempt to disrupt the city’s prevailing peace. This kind of alarmist report is uncalled for in view of the efforts and alertness.

“Citizens are nevertheless enjoined to remain vigilant as they go about their lawful business.

“Meanwhile situation in Mubi, Michika, Bazza, Gulak, Gwoza, Bama, Gamboru Ngala & other parts of the North East is being stabilized as highly coordinated air and land operations are ongoing.

“The efforts are yielding impressive results in the overall move to rid the areas of terrorists’ activities​,​”​ it claimed.​

​Bama community leaders said Thursday that the two remains under the control of Boko Haram.​

The Borno Elders Forum, BEF, had raised the alarm on Wednesday that the Boko Haram fighters were preparing an imminent takeover of Maiduguri.

“We wish to call on the Federal Government to urgently fortify in and around the city of Maiduguri,” BEF, which comprises retired military officers and senior civil servants from the region, said.

Maiduguri is significant to the sect having been founded in the city as an anti-corruption group in 2002 and thus regard as its spiritual home.

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